Kazakhstan Launches New Reservoir Construction in West Kazakhstan Region

Authorities in Kazakhstan are initiating an upgrade of hydraulic infrastructure in the western part of the country. With the participation of the Islamic Development Bank, construction has begun on a new reservoir on the Bolshoy Uzen River in the Kaztalovsky district of the West Kazakhstan region. The facility is designed with a capacity of 28.4 million cubic meters of water.

The launch of the new facility will enable the irrigation of 12,000 hectares of liman lands, with plans to increase the irrigation area to 20,000 hectares in the future. The investment program also includes the reconstruction of the Bitik reservoir and four main canals in the region. This modernization will improve the water supply system for approximately 28,500 hectares of land. Automated water metering systems will be installed at all updated facilities.

Details of the upcoming construction projects were discussed during a meeting with local residents in Uralsk. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov stated that these infrastructure projects – ranging from dam construction to canal repairs – are intended to stabilize water supplies for farmers, minimize transport losses, and protect nearby communities from floods.

Addressing water sector issues requires joint action from central and local government bodies, water management organizations, and water users, the minister noted in response to questions from the audience.

Local residents expressed concern regarding practical environmental issues, including the depletion of small rivers, the protection of water bodies from industrial and domestic pollution, and the technical status of existing dams. Following the public discussion, the Minister of Water Resources held a series of personal meetings and directed relevant departments to address specific appeals from the population.